On March 30, The New York Times published an interview with Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez titled, “What Ocasio-Cortez Wants for the Democrats.” The interview, conducted by columnist Michelle Cottle, highlighted Ocasio-Cortez’s recent campaign-style events alongside Senator Bernie Sanders.
Ocasio-Cortez and Sanders’ “Fight Oligarchy” Campaign
These events, called “Fighting Oligarchy,” have been presented as efforts to challenge the influence of the wealthy elite in politics. However, critics argue that they are actually aimed at repairing the damaged reputation of the Democratic Party, which has faced widespread dissatisfaction from the working class.
The Democratic Party has been accused of enabling the return of Donald Trump and working with Republicans to push policies that benefit the financial elite. Despite their rhetoric, Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez are not fighting oligarchy but instead working to protect the Democratic Party and the capitalist system.
Many see them as safety valves deployed by the ruling class to prevent the rise of a genuine independent socialist movement.
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To achieve this goal, Ocasio-Cortez and Sanders have started moving away from the term “socialism” and now use “economic populism” instead. This shift in language is seen as a way to appeal to a broader audience while hiding the pro-corporate and militaristic policies of the Democratic Party.
During the interview, Ocasio-Cortez explicitly endorsed Maine Congressman Jared Golden, a former Marine and intelligence-connected politician, as a model for the party’s future.
Jared Golden’s Role in the Democratic Party
Jared Golden’s background is deeply tied to the military-industrial complex and intelligence community. After enlisting in the Marine Corps following the September 11 attacks, he served in both Afghanistan and Iraq.
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After his military service, he worked for the Senate Homeland Security Committee under Republican Senator Susan Collins before transitioning into Democratic Party politics. Since his election to Congress, he has consistently supported increased funding for the military, intelligence agencies, and border enforcement.
Golden has also played a role in passing legislation that expands war funding while reducing spending on social programs. Recently, he was the only House Democrat to vote for a Republican-backed spending bill, which increased defense spending by $6 billion while cutting non-defense spending by $13 billion. The bill also included nearly $8 billion for warships built in Maine and increased funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Golden’s voting record further underscores his alignment with pro-war policies. He supported a $95 billion military aid package, which allocated over $60 billion to Ukraine, funded Israeli military operations in Gaza, and increased U.S. military presence in the Indo-Pacific region.
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Following this vote, Golden released a statement claiming that supporting Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan was equivalent to defending America.
In addition to his support for war, Golden has voted against progressive policies that he once endorsed. While he initially supported Medicare for All, he later withdrew his support and refused to co-sponsor a 2023 version of the bill. Instead, he has promoted policies favoring corporate interests and expansion of border security operations.
Ocasio-Cortez’s Shift and Golden’s Influence
Ocasio-Cortez’s decision to promote Golden as the future of the Democratic Party marks a significant shift in her political messaging. Initially, she gained support by calling for progressive policies such as abolishing ICE and increasing social protections. However, over time, she has distanced herself from these positions.
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During the interview, Ocasio-Cortez suggested that traditional political labels such as “left” and “right” should be abandoned, allowing politicians to selectively adopt policies based on political strategy. As an example, she pointed to immigration, describing it as a “third rail” issue that may not be popular in all districts. This shift suggests an acceptance of anti-immigrant policies, aligning more closely with conservative Democratic figures like Golden.
Golden’s influence within the Democratic Party reflects a broader rightward shift. He has openly defended Trump’s presidency, dismissing concerns that a second Trump term would threaten democracy. In a 2023 op-ed, Golden claimed that Democrats’ concerns over Trump were overblown and that working with Trump’s administration should be a priority.
Ocasio-Cortez’s promotion of Golden is not an isolated incident. In 2021, she donated campaign funds to Golden and other so-called “moderate” Democrats, despite their opposition to progressive policies. Golden accepted these funds alongside donations from billionaire Republican donors such as Harlan Crow, a major supporter of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas.
Ocasio-Cortez’s embrace of Golden highlights the Democratic Party’s ongoing alignment with pro-military, pro-intelligence, and corporate-backed policies. The shift away from progressive messaging toward “economic populism” serves to mask the reality that the party remains deeply connected to the financial and military elite. This development raises critical questions about the future direction of the Democratic Party and its relationship with working-class voters.